We are intentional about the things that are important to us. Sometimes we talk a big game that God is the most important thing in our lives, but then we don't always make the effort to prioritize worship. If making lots of money is important to us, we're intentional about it. If building a healthy relationship with another person is important, we become intentional about putting time into it. If getting healthy is important to us, we are intentional about the rhythms and routines in our life. Psalm 145 gives a look into the mind of David as he shows us how to be intentional in making the choice to worship.
Studies show that the worst punishment a prisoner can receive is solitary confinement. The lasting effects of lack of human contact has done horrible damage in the lives of people. In other words; we were meant to do life with others. So how come that presents so many difficulties? In Psalm 133 we learn about how “good and pleasant” it is when God’s people live in unity. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches how God’s blessing flows when His people dwell in unity.
Back in early elementary school there as a funny little say when we made a promise: Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. Looking back, I have no clue why six years old are making a promise with that kind of language but in God’s word we see God’s promise to David. In Psalm 132 we read about a promise David made to God and a promise God made to David. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches us how God always keeps His promises and His Kingdom stands forever.
We live in a culture that promotes pride and ambition but packages it in a way to make it look harmless. In this week’s message from Psalm 131, Pastor Neal unpacks the powerful truth that true peace is found through surrender and rest in God. This short but profound Psalm invites us to lay down self-promotion, embrace humility, and learn to rest in God's presence with the quiet trust of a weaned child. As we mature in our faith, we’re called to place our hope fully in the Lord, even when His timing is hard to understand. We will be challenged to examine the areas where we may still be clinging to control, and encouraged to surrender daily, rooting our lives in God’s Word, trusting His presence, and resting in His promises.
Life is not void of hardship. We've all experienced painful situations during our days on earth. The question becomes: "What do we do in these difficult situations? We could drink another beer, try retail therapy, or seek the Lord. When we come to the Lord, and cry out in our desperate situations is when we find hope and healing. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Psalm 130 and reminds us that: Even in our darkest moments, God offers full forgiveness and redemption.
This week, Pastor Doug Meye continues our journey through the Psalms of Ascent with a powerful message rooted in Psalm 129. As disciples walking a sometimes difficult road, we’re reminded of the God who walks with us every step of the way. Whether you’re weary, hopeful, or somewhere in between—this sermon offers timely encouragement for the path ahead
Summer is here, and we’re kicking off a 10-week journey through the Psalms; the heart of the Bible. For centuries, God’s people have turned to these songs and prayers to seek Him, experience His love, and find healing. In this episode, Pastor Neal Benson begins with Psalm 1 and shows us what it means to live a truly blessed life — one rooted in seeking God and delighting in His Word.
Life would be boring if we never took a step of faith. As we wrap up our series of the Seven Letters to the seven churches in Revelation we come to the church in Laodicea. Jesus pulls no punches on their spiritual condition. He clearly states their faith is lukewarm just like the water in their city. The truth of Jesus would have been tough to hear but hopefully produced spiritual growth in this church. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Revelation 3:14-22. In this sermon we’ll see that lukewarm faith isn’t really faith at all and learn how to come to Jesus to meet all our needs.
The news only reports on planes that don’t land properly. Think about that. The news doesn’t report on the approximate 100,000 commercial flights that take off and land safely around the world each day. We don’t make the news for the thousands of things that go right; we only hear about the one that goes wrong. Faithfulness often works the same way—quiet, steady, and largely unnoticed, but incredibly significant. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches from Revelation 3:7-13 about the Faithful church in Philadelphia. This was a church who held fast to the gospel and honored Christ in all they did! They are the kind of church we can long to be like!
No church is perfect… but some are more on mission than others. The church in Sardis had become a complacent church. Of all the words Jesus speaks in Revelation 2–3, they might receive the harshest rebuke. It comes in three painful words: “You are dead.” The church had lost its mission and missed living out the Great Commission of Jesus. In this sermon on Revelation 3:1-6, Pastor Neal Benson teaches us about the need to wake up, repent, and pray for revival. The words of Jesus require us to evaluate our own lives for the greater good of God’s Kingdom.